Arts & Culture

The Chinese government is playing the role of art critic in one Oregon community. The criticism comes in response to a new mural commissioned by a Taiwanese-born businessman in Corvallis. The painting depicts a Tibetan monk setting himself on fire. But local officials are defending David Lin's right to express his views.

Forty hot air balloons floated up over Idaho's capitol city Thursday as part of the Spirit of Boise Balloon Rally. It's going on through September 2. There used to be a lot more balloons when the River Festival happened years ago with nearly 100 balloons. Turns out there's been a decline in this sport.

The sun is barely on the horizon on this Saturday morning as a small crowd gathers at the fair grounds in Boise. They stare up at a little black balloon that’s quickly becoming a dot in the sky.

Apparently Northwesterners are not afraid of heights and have a yen for adventure. We draw that conclusion because the industry of zip line tours and aerial adventure parks is booming in the Northwest right now.

Within the past couple years, fully a dozen commercial zip line attractions have opened in Oregon, Washington and Idaho... not counting at least 12 more in British Columbia and Alaska. The revenue potential has some municipal parks departments looking to add spendy zip line attractions in public parks.

An exhibition of rare books and objects opens August 24 at Boise State University. “Chapters from the History of the Book,” features 31 books and artifacts from different time periods from all over the world. Stephanie Bacon directs the Idaho Center for the Book. She curated the exhibit.

Ten years ago, Freak Alley Gallery started when a local artist painted inside an alley doorway in downtown Boise. Today, the gallery stretches the length of the alley, and a nearby parking lot.

Over 80 artists gathered last week to paint on the alley walls between 8th and 9th Street, and Bannock and Idaho. Artists cover the aging brick and crumbling cement with all styles of mural. Some look realistic, others cartoonish, others urban, like graffiti.

This Sunday, a group of mountain climbers, students and Lummi tribal members will embark on an expedition to re-create the first ascent of Washington’s third tallest peak. That's Mount Baker, east of Bellingham. The modern-day expedition includes historical touches along with some concessions to practicality.

Wednesday will mark the 67th anniversary of the Japanese surrender to end World War Two. With each passing anniversary, there are fewer and fewer living witnesses to the event. Time is also running low for an aging U.S. Marine veteran who wants to return a captured Japanese war flag.

Ex-U.S. Marine George Koller of Clarkston, Washington collects war memorabilia. Among his possessions is an inscribed "good luck flag" carried into battle by a Japanese fighter pilot. The airman's plane crashed into the jungle of New Guinea late in World War II.

Ravi Gupta runs the temple. His family started it 26 years ago. He says the evening will entail several plays and dances as well as over 100 vegetarian dishes.

The congregation has also worked hard on stringing together over 10,000 orange and yellow flowers to decorate the temple. String lights cover every surface of the outside, and the marble floors shine bright.

In Italy, bocce ball is known as a pastime for elderly men. You know the image: Men in starched shirts and creased pants playing serious games near the piazzas. Now, bocce is rapidly gaining popularity in Northwest cities and wine country.

One reason bocce is popular at wineries: You can play while never putting down your adult beverage. It’s also a game that can draw out your competitive side.

Author John Gerassi has reportedly died. Gerassi wrote the book “The Boys of Boise,” about the city's 1955 scandal involving homosexual men.

The scandal began in late October that year. “On Halloween night, the police in Boise arrested several men on charges of having sex with teenage boys," says Alan Virta, a retired archivist from Boise State University.

This summer’s blockbuster line-up is teeming with highly anticipated names -- like Batman, Spiderman, and the Avengers. That’s good news for the people who run cinemas. But for many small theaters across the Northwest, opening weekend is becoming a struggle.

In the men’s 800 meter race Monday, Boise-native Nick Symmonds clocked the fastest time by an American at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR. The performance earned him a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.

The 28-year-old Symmonds was at the back of the pack early in the race, but began to methodically picked off his competition. It was a flashback to the 2008 Olympic trials when he also made the U.S. team.

It's that time of year for road trips, barbecues and outdoor concerts. To celebrate summer, Boise State Public Radio brings you a series called Listen In. It's focused on musicians who will perform this summer in Idaho. We start with the indie rock band Wilco.